NO DOUBTING THOMAS: Princeton University men’s water polo player Thomas Nelson looks for the ball in a game earlier this season. Junior star Nelson has tallied 14 goals this fall, helping the Tigers to an 8-1 start. In upcoming action, Princeton hosts George Washington and Bucknell on September 28. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Things started on a down note for the Princeton University men’s water polo team as it competed in its first full weekend of Southern Division action.

The Tigers fell 10-9 at Johns Hopkins on Saturday morning, suffering their first loss this season after a 6-0 start.

“We had chances to get up but we missed,” said Princeton head coach Luis Nicolao.

“Alex Gow had a good game in goal for us but they know how to play in their pool. The mistakes are compounded in a smaller venue.”

Princeton, though, rebounded from the setback and took advantage of its chances the rest of the weekend, topping Navy 12-7 on Saturday evening and then edging George Washington 14-12 on Sunday.

“We were a little upset with some of the mistakes we made Saturday morning,” said Nicolao, whose team scored six unanswered goals in the second quarter against the Midshipmen.

“Any time we play Navy, we know it’s going to be a battle and the guys are always up for that. We got a jump on them and then we steamrollered them. We missed some chances in the first quarter. We came out in the second quarter and put away some opportunities and capitalized on their mistakes. Our lefty freshman Connor McGoldrick had a good game against GW. It is another smaller venue and it is one of those games you have to get through. We capitalized on their errors.”

Having lost heartbreakers in the CWPA semis in 2012 and in the finals last year, the team’s core of veterans are primed for battle.

“The senior class, in general, is excited to go out on top,” said Nicolao, whose Class of 2015 includes Drew Hoffenberg, Sam Butler, Kayj Shannon, and Kevin Zhang.

“They are doing everything they can to not end the season like the last two years.”

With the Tigers at 8-1, Nicolao believes things are headed in the right direction.

“We have depth,” said Nicolao, who has gotten 22 goals from Hoffenberg already with freshman Jordan Colina adding 16, junior Thomas Nelson chipping in 14, junior Jamie Kuprenas tallying 11, and sophomore Jovan Jeremic with 10.

“Drew has always been an amazing player for us. Jordan and Thomas are having big years. Jamie Kuprenas has stepped up. Kayj Shannon is out for a while and it seems like every game, someone else steps up. I think our team defense overall has been a strength, particularly in our big wins over Irvine, Navy, and Cal Baptist. We have two quality goalies (junior Gow and freshman Vojislav Mitrovic), we are playing both of them a lot. We have balance, guys are coming off the bench and helping us.”

Despite the promising start, Princeton has plenty of room for improvement.

“We need to learn each other better; we have some big games coming up and we go to California in three weeks,” said Nicolao, whose team hosts George Washington and Bucknell on September 28.

“It is just the first phase of the season. If we can stay healthy, it could be a special year.”